Between the GOP's struggle to pass a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, a coming appropriations process in Congress, and high-level investigations into the Trump campaign, Republican hopes for quickly passing its agenda have stalled of late.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recently said he hopes to get tax reform passed in the current Congress, which may indicate that he's not be hopeful about passage this year.

Ryan also pushed back against statements that Republicans have struggled to achieve their agenda. He said that if Republicans slash regulations, pass a health-care overhaul and cut taxes by January, it will have been a good year.